The Roxy in downtown Boston hosted a ten fight card last Friday night which included Tony Lamonica’s professional four round debut. Unfortunately for Tony’s opponent the fight was clearly a home field advantage. You would have thought that the fight was being held at the Walsh/PAL Gym as South Boston turned out in droves to show their support of “Team LaMonica”. The partisan crowd loudly encouraged and cheered Tony’s every punch. Fight promoter Rich Cappiello called Tony the most skillful fighter on the card and it showed as all three judges scored the fight 40 to 36 for the unanimous decision.

In the first round Matos came out in a crouched stance hoping to avoid a big punch but this style proved fruitless as LaMonica successfully hit him with powerful body shots. Tony out boxed Matos the entire round continually jabbing and moving to avoid Matos wild punches. In round two Matos came out more aggressively and in the first 30 seconds slipped in a right hand that knocked Tony slightly off balance. LaMonica immediately shook his head no and went right back after Matos peppering him with hard body shots. Tony finished the round with a combination to the head that sent Matos scurrying to the ropes only to have LaMonica right in his face throwing more body shots.

Round three saw both fighters come out a bit guardedly but Tony was quickly back to his game plan and the tremendous body shots were now causing Matos to drop his gloves, that was a big mistake. LaMonica was now able to slip some solid shots over the top of his gloves to his face and head. In round four Matos came out with a sense of urgency trying to attack LaMonica but this was Tony’s fight all the way as he continued to batter Matos and ward of his advances. Tony ended the fight with a hard combination and an overhand right punch that knocked Matos into the ropes.

“He was a very tough guy, he took some hard shots from me” said Tony after the fight. “He was prepared, he was artful tonight” exclaimed Tony’s dad Frank.

Matt Ryan, who will be making his pro-debut this summer, has been helping Tony prepare for this fight had said that Anthony will put on a show and that he did. The Southie faithful were treated to a truly skilled exhibition of boxing that left no part of this difficult sport unturned. Tony had a set game plan and stuck with it and was able to exploit his opponent’s weaknesses.

Congratulations to Anthony and Team LaMonica on a very successful debut.